This isn't the first time and it won't be the last time that the Thai government has a two-tiered pricing system based on nationality. For me, seeing something like this seems odd but that is because we went completely bat-shit-crazy with equality in my home country to the point where foreigners who do not pay tax actually got better benefits than the people who do pay tax.
And that was completely backwards and why I am perfectly ok with the fare cap on the BTS (skytrain) and MRT (underground) applying only to Thai citizens.
For a dollar or maybe $3 if you are going quite far you can get to and from almost anywhere in downtown Bangkok on one of the cleanest, safest, and efficient(est) metro train systems in the world. This is especially awesome if you have ever been subjected to the horrors that is the mass transit system trains that exist in those countries that claim to be so much better than this one, namely USA and especially New York City.
yeah, the NYC metro is much older than the relatively new BTS and MRT but look at yourselves New York. You have no right to be judgmental about anyone.
But rather than bash my home country I want to focus on the new legislation in Bangkok that is going to cap the maximum fare at 45 baht, but this will only apply to Thai citizens.
While a lot of my friends who live here are complaining about racism and what not this is an old and very badly scratched and broken record in my book. This is not the same as them charging 5 times the prices for a poorly-maintained tourist trap national park entrance fee. This is like, in most instances, something that you aren't even going to notice unless you are going really far on the BTS/MRT. Then, just think about it for a second even if you are paying twice what the Thai people are, you need to keep in mind that you are going all the way across one of the most densely populated cities in the world for $3 or so.
Stop complaining you moron.
I am one of the people that actually would have some level of genuine grievance about this though, because I actually DO pay Thai taxes. The government is proving that their policy is not directed at fleecing tourists at all because if I go up to the window at a BTS and display my Tax-ID card, my fare is capped at 45 baht as well. Do you think I am actually going to bother doing that over what is likely 20 to 50 cents though? Of course not.
Here's the fact or at least as close to the facts that the government is going to allow us to have. This new legislation is estimated to cost 5.8 BILLION Thai Baht in the first year alone. That's close to 170 million dollars and even though it is the government essentially handing money to itself in this instance, it definitely isn't free. If the Thai government had this money left over they would probably do something really stupid with it like buy antiquated diesel-powered submarines or buy and aircraft carrier that accommodates airplanes that are no longer made. Both of those examples actually happened, by the way.
If you are just traveling in Thailand and using the BTS and MRT, which I highly recommend by the way, you are unlikely to even realize that this sort of fare cap event exists. It's not like they advertise it in front of you just to rub it in your face. haha, stupid foreigner! you pay more!
Thailand isn't like that or at least not obviously so.
I believe it is and should be every country's primary objective to protect their own citizenry first, then look out for any other people if there are resources left over.
Just pay the extra dollar and enjoy the ultra-clean and awesome mass transit system where nobody dances in the aisles, nobody throws food all over the floor, and nobody goes from car to car begging for change.
The BTS and MRT are awesome and yes, I will pay even a whole dollar extra to be able to use it.
